The Contemporary Music Centre hosted a workshop on composition for wind and brass ensembles in early May.

The World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles (WASBE) in collaboration with the Contemporary Music Centre have offered the opportunity to a group of student composers to write a new work for wind and/or brass.

Applications were received from David Coonan (Trinity College, Dublin), Conor Ó Brádaigh (Scoil Eoin, Stillorgan, Co. Dublin), Ann Cleare (University College, Cork), Piaras Hoban (Queen’s University, Belfast), Donal Rafferty (NUI, Maynooth), Breffni O’Byrne (Wesley College, Dublin), Hugh Boyle (University of Ulster) and Bertie Callinan (Waterford Institute of Technology).

An initial meeting of the composers with Irish composer Ian Wilson took place at the Contemporary Music Centre on Wednesday, 2 May. Ian spoke positively of this meeting: 'The experience of working with this group of young composers in the initial WASBE workshop has been a very positive and encouraging one for me personally. Their engagement both with compositional process and the concept of writing for wind ensemble has been enthusiastic and bold, their willingness to accept advice and absorb the experiences of each other and myself very heartening. Here is a collection of young artists in the early days of their experience and the opportunity for them to have their music performed by such talented musicians as those from Chethams will stand them in good stead for the remainder of their careers.'

All eight composers will attend a public masterclass at the WASBE conference in July, at which five of the new works will be presented by performers from Chetham's School of Music. This masterclass will again be led by Ian Wilson, and will include time for discussion and review of the works performed. Composers invited will be given free access to all concerts and other events throughout the week of the conference.

WASBE 2007 takes place in the Irish National Events Centre, Killarney, from 8-14 July 2007. Further details of the Conference are available at www.wasbe2007.com.

Posted: 9 May 2007